Luke Armstrong
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Luke Armstrong
|image = Luke Armstrong.jpg
|image_size =
|caption = Armstrong warming up for Harrogate Town in 2023
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|7|2|df=y}}{{cite web | url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams/middlesbrough-under-23s/luke-armstrong | title=Luke Armstrong | publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. | access-date=12 January 2019 | website=mfc.co.uk}}
|birth_place = Durham, England{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/luke-armstrong-256455/ |title=Luke Armstrong |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=26 October 2019}}
|height =
|position = Striker
|currentclub = Carlisle United
|clubnumber = 29
|youthyears1 = 2009–2014
|youthclubs1 = Middlesbrough
|youthyears2 = 2014–2015
|youthclubs2 = Birmingham City
|years1 = 2015–2016
|clubs1 = Cowdenbeath
|caps1 = 6
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2016–2017
|clubs2 = Blyth Spartans
|caps2 = 42
|goals2 = 23
|years3 = 2017–2019
|clubs3 = Middlesbrough
|caps3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2018
|clubs4 = → Gateshead (loan)
|caps4 = 17
|goals4 = 10
|years5 = 2019
|clubs5 = → Accrington Stanley (loan)
|caps5 = 16
|goals5 = 3
|years6 = 2019–2021
|clubs6 = Salford City
|caps6 = 25
|goals6 = 1
|years7 = 2020–2021
|clubs7 = → Hartlepool United (loan)
|caps7 = 28
|goals7 = 13
|years8 = 2021–2024
|clubs8 = Harrogate Town
|caps8 = 103
|goals8 = 29
|years9 = 2024–
|clubs9 = Carlisle United
|caps9 = 41
|goals9 = 6
|years10 = 2025
|clubs10 = → Motherwell (loan)
|caps10 = 14
|goals10 = 4
|club-update = 15:31, 18 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Luke Thomas Armstrong (born 2 July 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|CarlislU}} club Carlisle United.
Armstrong came through the ranks at Middlesbrough and Birmingham City. After a short spell in Scotland with Cowdenbeath, he joined Blyth Spartans who were then managed by his father Alun Armstrong. At Blyth, Armstrong would win the Northern Premier League, attracting the interest of former side Middlesbrough. He had a successful loan spell at Gateshead from Middlesbrough before briefly joining Accrington Stanley on loan. In 2019, he signed for newly promoted League Two side Salford City before joining National League team Hartlepool United on loan. Armstrong was a member of Hartlepool's promotion winning team, scoring in the side's play-off final win in 2021. He subsequently signed for League Two side Harrogate Town for an undisclosed fee.
Club career
=Early career=
Armstrong began his career with Middlesbrough, making his way up through the academy teams until he was released by the club in the summer of 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/triallist-luke-armstrong-handed-birmingham-7634193 | title=Triallist Luke Armstrong Handed Birmingham Deal | publisher=Birmingham Mail | accessdate=12 January 2019 | website=birminghammail.co.uk| date=18 August 2014 }} He subsequently joined Birmingham City's youth setup on a one-year deal after a successful trial period but would leave after he was informed that his contract with Birmingham City would not be renewed in the summer of 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-offer-new-deal-8520419 | title=Birmingham City Offer New Deal To Talented Teenager Charlee Adams | publisher=Birmingham Mail | accessdate=12 January 2019 | website=birminghammail.co.uk| date=26 January 2015 }}
Armstrong then had a successful trial period with Scottish League One outfit Cowdenbeath, leading to him being handed a one-year deal.{{cite web | url=http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2015/07/24/cowdenbeath-sign-ex-middlesbrough-and-birmingham-city-youngster-luke-armstrong-and-sam-orritt/ | title=Cowdenbeath Sign Ex-Middlesbrough and Birmingham City Youngster Luke Armstrong and Sam Orritt| publisher=Deadline News | accessdate=12 January 2019 | website=deadlinenews.co.uk| date=24 July 2015}} After six months with the club, Armstrong decided to terminate his contract due his game time being limited to just a few substitute appearances during the half-season.{{cite web | url=https://www.centralfifetimes.com/sport/14237753.luke-seeks-new-club/ | title=Striker Leaves Cowdenbeath After Six Month's Service| publisher=The Central Fife Times | accessdate=12 January 2019 | website=centralfifetimes.com}}
Following this setback, Armstrong would join Northern Premier League Premier Division club Blyth Spartans, which was then managed by his father, Alun Armstrong.{{cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blyth-spartans-3-2-north-12950668 | title=Blyth Spartans 3–2 North Shields |publisher=The Chronicle |accessdate=12 January 2019 |website=chroniclelive.co.uk| date=26 April 2017 }} He would score 23 goals across the season, helping his team to win the Northumberland Senior Cup and league title, ultimately attracting the attention of one of his previous employers in the form of Middlesbrough.{{cite web | url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/middlesbrough-raid-northern-league-sign-12873441 |title=Middlesbrough Raid Blyth Spartans To Sign Luke Armstrong |date=10 April 2017 |publisher=The Gazette |accessdate=12 January 2019}}
=Return to Middlesbrough and loans=
On 16 July 2018, Armstrong joined National League club Gateshead on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web | url=https://www.gateshead-fc.com/heed-loan-boro-striker/ | title=Heed Loan Boro Striker| publisher=Gateshead F.C. | accessdate=12 January 2019 | website=gateshead-fc.com}} On 29 July 2018, he notably scored a hat-trick against his former club Blyth Spartans during a 3–1 victory in a friendly at Croft Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/outstanding-middlesbrough-striker-scores-hat-14967853 |title=Gateshead 3–1 Blyth Spartans |publisher=The Gazette |accessdate=12 January 2019 |website=gazettelive.co.uk|date=30 July 2018 }} After scoring on his Heed début, Armstrong would score two goals against Salford City in a 2–1 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45014885 |title=Gateshead 2–1 Salford City |date=7 August 2018 |accessdate=17 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He went on to make 18 appearances for the club, during which he scored a further seven goals, by the time his loan was cut short by parent club Middlesbrough on 31 December 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/luke-armstrong-signs-new-boro-deal |title=Luke Armstrong Signs New Boro Deal |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |accessdate=12 January 2019 |website=mfc.co.uk}}
Upon his return to Middlesbrough, Armstrong would sign a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship club, before being shipped out on loan to Accrington Stanley of League One on 11 January 2019.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46838047|title=Luke Armstrong: Middlesbrough Striker Joins Accrington Stanley On Loan|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=12 January 2019}} He made his debut for the club the next day, in a goalless League One tie versus Bristol Rovers at the Wham Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46766572 |title=Accrington Stanley 0–0 Bristol Rovers |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=12 January 2019}}
=Salford City=
On 26 July 2019, Armstrong joined newly promoted League Two outfit Salford City on a permanent transfer, signing a three-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49125587 |title=Luke Armstrong: Salford City sign Middlesbrough striker on three-year deal |website=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2019 |accessdate=26 July 2019}} He scored his first goal against Walsall, opening the scoring in a 3–0 triumph as Salford won away for the first time in the English Football League.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-salford-city/report/410595 |title=Walsall 0–3 Salford: City record historic first EFL away win at Banks's Stadium |website=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2019 |access-date=21 September 2020}}
On 7 December 2020, Armstrong joined Hartlepool United until the end of the 2020–21 season on loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-sign-luke-armstrong/ |title=Pools sign Luke Armstrong |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=7 December 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020 |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603043804/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-sign-luke-armstrong/ |url-status=dead }} Armstrong scored a brace the following day on his debut for Hartlepool in a 2–0 win against King's Lynn Town.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55140451 |title=Hartlepool United 2–0 King's Lynn Town |website=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021}} Armstrong went on to score 15 goals in all competitions for Pools, including one in their 2021 National League play-off final win against Torquay United.
=Harrogate Town=
On 26 June 2021 it was announced that he has signed for Harrogate Town for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57623961 |title=Harrogate sign Salford striker Armstrong |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 June 2021 |access-date=22 August 2023}} Armstrong signed a new contract at the end of the 2021–22 season that would keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61786790 |title=Armstrong signs Harrogate contract extension |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 June 2022 |access-date=22 August 2023}}
Ahead of the start of the 2023–24 season, after the club had rejected transfer bids for him, Armstrong made himself unavailable for selection.{{cite news|url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-turn-down-transfer-bids-for-star-striker-luke-armstrong-as-interest-intensifies-4242338 |title=Harrogate Town turn down transfer bids for star striker Luke Armstrong as interest intensifies |author=Rhys Howell |publisher=Harrogate Advertiser |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=22 August 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-transfer-news-former-middlesbrough-and-hartlepool-striker-luke-armstrong-makes-himself-unavailable-for-selection-for-league-two-opener-at-doncaster-rovers-4244875 |title=Harrogate Town transfer news: Former Middlesbrough and Hartlepool striker Luke Armstrong 'makes himself unavailable for selection' for League Two opener at Doncaster Rovers |author=Leon Wobschall |publisher=Yorkshire Post |date=5 August 2023 |access-date=22 August 2023}} On the final day of the summer transfer window, Wrexham agreed terms with Harrogate to sign Armstrong.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66695551?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA |title=Luke Armstrong: Wrexham deal for Harrogate striker not completed before deadline |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023}} However, the deal was not completed before the 23:00 deadline, therefore Armstrong remained a Harrogate Town player. In a club statement, Wrexham said the "required documentation and clearance requests could not be completed in time and Armstrong's registration has been rejected".
=Carlisle United=
On 18 December 2023, it was announced that Armstrong would join League One club Carlisle United when the transfer window opens on 1 January 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67730546 |title=Luke Armstrong: Carlisle United agree deal to sign Harrogate Town striker |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2023 |access-date=18 December 2023}} The move was confirmed on 4 January 2024, Armstrong joining for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2024/january/contract-luke-armstrong-signing-confirmed/|title=CONTRACT: Luke Armstrong signing confirmed|website=www.carlisleunited.co.uk|date=4 January 2024|accessdate=4 January 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67882369|title=Carlisle sign midfielder Neal and defender Grehan|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} He scored his first Carlisle goal in a 2–1 away defeat to Barnsley.{{cite news|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/24054536.barnsley-2-1-carlisle-united-late-penalty-pain-blues/ |title=Barnsley 2–1 Carlisle United: late penalty pain for Blues |author=Jon Colman |website=News & Star |date=16 January 2024 |access-date=18 January 2024}}
On 24 January 2025, Armstrong joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan for the remainder of the season. {{cite web|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2025/01/24/luke-armstrong-arrives-in-ml1/|title=Luke Armstrong Arrives in ML1|website=www.motherwellfc.co.uk|date=24 January 2025|accessdate=24 January 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c1km80vjzmro|title=Motherwell add Carlisle striker Luke Armstrong on loan|date=24 January 2025|website=BBC Sport}}
Personal life
Luke is the son of former Stockport County, Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town and Darlington striker Alun Armstrong. He attended Wolsingham School and is a qualified personal trainer having picked up a Level 3 qualification at Darlington College.{{cite web|title=Sports Student, Luke Signs Contract for Middlesbrough Football Club|url=https://darlington.ac.uk/sports-student-luke-signs-contract-middlesbrough-football-club/|website=Darlington College|date=10 May 2017 }}
In December 2021, Armstrong opened a cafe in Wolsingham called No 10.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19810913.wolsingham-cafe-bought-harrogate-town-striker-luke-armstrong/|title=Top Scorer Luke Armstrong Extends Town Contract|website=Northern Echo|date=28 December 2021|access-date=9 August 2022}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 18 May 2025}}{{soccerway|luke-armstrong/410525|access-date=12 January 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Cowdenbeath
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|86107|2015|accessdate=12 January 2019}} |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Blyth Spartans
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|86107|2016|accessdate=12 January 2019}} |Northern Premier League Premier Division |42 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 23 | |
| rowspan=3|Middlesbrough
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|86107|2017|accessdate=12 January 2019}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|86107|2018|accessdate=12 January 2019}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Gateshead (loan)
|2018–19{{soccerway|luke-armstrong/410525|Luke Armstrong|accessdate=19 March 2021}} | 18 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in FA Trophy}} | 1 | 21 | 11 |
| Accrington Stanley (loan)
|16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | |
| rowspan=3|Salford City
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|86107|2019|accessdate=19 March 2021}} |21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT}} | 3 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|86107|2020|accessdate=19 March 2021}}
|League Two |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 4 | |
| Hartlepool United (loan)
|National League |28 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, three appearances and two goals in National League play-offs}} | 2 | 32 | 15 | |
| rowspan=4|Harrogate Town
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|86107|2021|access-date=12 June 2023}} |League Two |45 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT}} | 1 | 50 | 14 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|86107|2022|access-date=12 June 2023}}
|League Two |46 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 51 | 16 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|86107|2023|access-date=8 August 2023}}
|League Two |12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!103 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 116 | 31 | |
| rowspan=3|Carlisle United
|League One |21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|86107|2024|access-date=17 August 2024}}
|League Two |20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{Efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!41 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 6 | |
| Motherwell
|14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!293 | 89 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 9 | 330 | 100 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Blyth Spartans
- Northern Premier League Premier Division: 2016–17{{cite web |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/championship-splits-father-and-son-36043 |title=Championship Splits Father And Son |first=David |last=Watters |publisher=Northern Premier League |date=10 April 2017 |access-date=20 June 2021 |via=Pitch Hero}}
Hartlepool United
References
{{reflist}}
{{Carlisle United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Luke}}
Category:Footballers from Durham, England
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Cowdenbeath F.C. players
Category:Blyth Spartans A.F.C. players
Category:Gateshead F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Salford City F.C. players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Carlisle United F.C. players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:National League (English football) players